Affiliation (1896 - )

Affiliation is a word used to describe the process of identifying the father of an illegitimate child. Single mothers were obliged to name the father of their child if they wished to access government payments. They were also forced to ask the father for maintenance or child support. If her request was unsuccessful, the government could bring affiliation proceedings in a Children's Court to demand maintenance. If the case against the putative father was proven, an affiliation order was made. Proving the father was affiliated to the child did not change the child's legal situation, or provide the child with any rights to inheritance.